Film Screening: Keep the Change
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Stony Brook Manhattan, 535 Eighth Avenue
Please join us for a special screening of Keep the Change, followed by a talk with Stony Brook's MFA in Film's Artistic Director Christine Vachon,
Writing/Directing Faculty Jennie Allen, and Writer/Director Rachel Israel.
RSVP to: MFAManhattan@stonybrook.edu. Seating is limited.
About the Film
When aspiring filmmaker David (Brandon Polansky) is mandated by a judge to attend
a social program at the Jewish Community Center, he is sure of one thing: he doesn’t
belong there. But when he’s assigned to visit the Brooklyn Bridge with the vivacious
Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), sparks fly and his convictions are tested.
Their budding relationship must weather Sarah’s romantic past, David’s judgmental mother (Jessica Walter), and their own pre-conceptions of what love is supposed to look like. Under the guise of an off-kilter New York romantic comedy, Keep the Change does something quite radical in casting actors with autism to play characters with autism.
Indiewire says that the film "positions itself to join the pantheon of New York rom-coms. Refreshingly uncynical. We’ve seen the Brooklyn Bridge up there on the big screen plenty of times, but rarely have we seen it crossed by characters quite like these."
About the Writer/Director
RACHEL ISRAEL received her B.F.A. from Rhode Island School of Design and her M.F.A.
from Columbia University in film directing. Based on her award winning short film, Rachel’s feature
directorial debut, Keep the Change, has received support from The Sundance Institute,
Rooftop Film Festival, and the Princess Grace Foundation. Keep the Change world premiered
at the Tribeca Film Festival 2017, where it was awarded several prizes including Best
U.S. Narrative Feature and Best New Narrative Feature Director.
About the Program
The Stony Brook MFA in Film is the only graduate program in the SUNY system fiercely dedicated to independent
filmmaking and TV Writing. Our approach is simple — roll up your sleeves and dive
in. With today's technology, all you need is a well-crafted story, a realistic plan,
and the drive to make it happen. At Stony Brook, you will learn how to craft a tightly
woven script, operate state-of-the art camera equipment, develop a realistic budget
and production plan, become skilled at working with actors and crew members, and navigate
legal, marketing, financing, and distribution. Get it made, make it right, get it
seen, live to tell about it… that is our mantra.
Killer Films founders and faculty Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, along with top industry professionals and our working-in-the-field faculty, mentor and guide students through the essential elements of independent film and digital content production and TV writing. Hands-on, experiential, in-depth, and project driven.
The curriculum requires 45-48 credits and applications are accepted on a rolling basis through July 1.
Also, for more information about our upcoming Open House on May 22 with Dan Futterman and Anya Epstein, go to www.stonybrook.edu/film.